Survivor Basel

French Wine Tasting

Last night I went to the monthly wine tasting event for American Women's Club Basel. There are actually two groups now; I attended the "Conversational Wine Group." It was hosted by two ladies in the club and presented at Paul Ullrich Wine Shop on Schneidergasse. We had a large group, 17 ladies, but the shop manager handled the evening very well. The wines were great, and I even brought a few bottles home for my collection. He served a red wine that will age very well in my cellar. Those are the little treasures that I love to find.

First Wine: Sparkling Chardonnay that uses a combination of new and old grapes. It was dry, but not terribly so, and the bubbles were small with not much foam. If I am in need of a bottle of sparkling, I will definately go and get this one.

Second Wine: 2006 Marcel Deiss Reisling, Alsace. This is basically the perfect dry Reisling. I brought a bottle home... its a good thing I don't have a car because I probably would have ordered a case.

Third Wine: 2006 Chablis ac Premier Cru Fourchaume, Burgundy, Domaine du Colombier. Another good white, and a Premier Cru at that. If it had been served without the Reisling for comparison, everyone would have raved about it. For the taste and quality, it's an excellent value. I brought home a bottle and will cellar it for a special occasion.

Fourth Wine:

The web site kicked me out and deleted everything else that I had already typed. I'll fix this, but I'm going to need a cup of hot chocolate and a cupcake first.

Self-Discipline vs The Couch

Since I was 16, I have always worked. When we moved to Basel, I quit my job in a panic and got on a plane (that's the way it felt anyway). I had a lot of plans for myself: Set up house, learn German, make friends, exercise, discover my European family roots, learn European history and geography, go to museums, read for fun, get a job.

I have managed to set up house and make friends, but after 6 months, I have made little progress toward anything else. I could easily blame it on not being entirely settled in our new life, but who am I trying to kid? SO... after almost a month of complete laziness, I have decided to get myself in gear. I have made a daily schedule of things that I am to accomplish. Some tasks are to be completed everyday, some rotate on a weekly or monthly basis.

7:30 Get up, make the bed, remove trash and dirty clothes from bedroom
7:40 Start a load of laundry and put away anything left out yesterday
7:50 Have Breakfast, check news, Twitter, Email, etc.
8:20 Put dishes in the dishwasher, wipe down kitchen counters
8:40 Dust/Clean/Org: M Bath, T Bedroom, W Cellar/Closet, Th Dining/Living, F Spareroom
9:00 Fast walk outside
9:30 Pilates inside
10:00 Shower/dress
10:30 German computer course
11:15 German workbook
11:30 Check news, Twitter, Email
12:00 Lunch, make grocery/shopping list
12:30 Read history book
1:00 Grocery Store
2:00 Read Leisure (I usually just do this on the tram back and forth to the store)
2:30 Geneology on Ancestry.com
3:00 Task of the Day- this changes based on what needs to be done and is influenced by my wonderful husband's answer to the question, "Is there anything you need me to do today?"
4:00 General house pick-up (if necessary)
4:30 Flex (ie sit on the couch and stare out the window)
5:00 Start Dinner

I HATE to exercise. It makes me tired and hungry, but I know I need to do it. I would call this my biggest challenge. And my "Task of the Day" tends to be something that I have been procrastinating for months. But so far, scheduling a time to do it has helped. Today I need to locate my W-2 from my past employer and go to the cleaners.

Wish me luck!

Busy day

So I had a pretty good day. I got my hair cut by Wayne at Prestige Hair Design then had a little (emphasis on little) lunch at Margherita down the street. Then I went to Thalia and bought some Books. After that, I went to see the doctor. I have to continue the antibiotic for the full 10 days (of course) and continue the Peppermint Steam Inhalant until I no longer have problems breathing in the morning.

We had Chicken Ceasar Salad with flour tortilla for dinner (it was supposed to be a wrap, but I had too much filling) and left-over potatoes from last night. It was pretty good. I got the Caesar Dressing recipe from FoodTV, of course, and there are left-overs of it. Yay!

Ok... I'm going to clean up the kitchen and read for a bit.

Caio!

FoodTV Dinner

I wrote a different post, but I am tired. When I went back and read it, it didn't make any sense. So this is all you get for today:

I pulled recipes off of FoodTV.com for dinner. I'm excited about the potatoes. When I saw the review that said "I used Swiss cheese instead of Guyere," I thought *DUH!* If she can make it, i certainly can! The broccoli reviews were mixed... but most complaints centered around the broccoli not being cooked long enough. I don't like mushy broccoli, so I'll give it a try. The turkey breast I butterflied, laid in some Borsin with garlic and herbs and closed her back up. I'm going to cook this on the stove while everything else is in the oven and use left-over mushroom sauce from last night.

Ok... time to go cook!

What's my name, and where am I?

This phrase: "What's my name and where am I" is something my Mom has always said when she gets off track. Like when you walk into a room and you forget why you are there. Or maybe (as was my issue yesterday) you take a medication that is stronger than you expect and loose the ability to form complete sentences. My wonderful husband was thoroughly amused. I was just glad I made dinner before I took the meds!

So here's the story: My wonderful husband and I came down with cold symptoms 2.5 weeks ago. We both improved (myself a little faster than he) and threw a party on Fat Tuesday, one week after getting sick. He flew to Chicago for business the next day and I stayed home. I continued to improve while he stayed about the same (most likely because he was working while I was resting).

Then Saturday morning (6 days ago), while still stuffy from the first cold, I got "resick" all over again. Saturday I got the sore throat. Sunday brought increased congestion that I seriously didn't think this was possible. Monday I struggled with dehydration and discovered a cold sore. Tuesday my resperatory distress increased. Wednesday morning an earache woke me up at 4:30 am. The earache was the last straw. It was time to try out the Swiss medical system. I gathered the American and Swiss over-the-counter medicines, herbs, and teas I had been using for the past 2.5 weeks and called the HMO screening number. The doctor on the phone was concerned that I might have pneumonia (even though I wasn't coughing and my chest didn't hurt) but all I wanted was "You should go to the doctor as soon as possible."

Wednesday was the last day of Fasnacht in Basel, but I still got an answer when I called the Doctor's office. YAY!!! They even got me in to see a doctor the very next day. I was completely amazed. Once at the doctor's office, I was collected from the waiting room BY THE DOCTOR and examined immediately in a warm and naturally lit (she had the lights off) exam room. She, Dr. Lack, asked me all of the questions that one would normally answer to the nurse and then have to retell to the doctor. I didn't get wieghed or measured or blood-pressure cuffed. She sat me down and asked where I was from, how long had I been in Switzerland, and what is wrong? Amazing!

She examined me after our chat. My eye made a move for the exit when she pushed on my cheek-bone and she confirmed what I had already decided for myself... I have a sinus infection. She wrote a list of meds on a piece of paper (even a cream for my cold sore) and told me where to take the list to collect the meds. Thankfully I only had to go to the drugstore. I have an anti-biotic (Avalox) which is one a day for ten days, a pain reliever for my ear and sinus pain (Dafalgan) which is two times a day, cough syrup (Bexin) two times a day, and peppermint steam inhalant (Nasobol) two times a day. I think it is the Dafalgan that makes me feel drugged-up. I will take it at night because it seriously relieves pain and helps me sleep, but tomorrow I will try switching to Motrin during the day. I can still feel the pressure and swelling around my ear and am very greatful she took seriously how much it hurt. The other great thing is that I have an appointment for next week to check my progress. I was concerned that I wasn't getting ear drops, but if my ear gets worse, I'll just tell the doctor.

A lack of Campbell's Chicken Soup has me eating the tomato soup that I ordered from www.LeShop.ch. It is made by the French contingent of Campbells and tastes pretty good. It comes in a tetra-pak and is not condensed but is still thick enough that I can add some milk without loosing anything. I added some grated Sbrinz and stalk of Basil. Mmm... Mmmm... Good :-)

Jungfraujoch Top of Europe

So my blog has to have at least 10 posts before I can list it in the directory. This sounds like an excellent reason to tell you about some of the trips we have taken over the past few months.

One of the most spectacular was a day trip to Jungfraujoch Top of Europe. We left from the Basel SBB in the morning and made it to the top at about 1:30 pm. There are a few train changes, but nothing stressful... the trains do get smaller and a little more crowded as you go up though. The cog train makes 2 stops for viewing once it enters the mountain. They make the announcement that you have 5 minutes... TAKE IT! The trains don't make the viewing stops on the way down, and the views are amazing! If you click on the photo below, you will be directed to my online photo album for the trip. But the pictures don't do it justice.

The mountain trains depart from Interlaken. This is a great little place to use as a jumping-off point for several adventures in the area. The next time we go, we plan to stay at the Lindner Grand Hotel although reviews tend to be mixed. I can make a suggestion as to where not to stay, especially if you are traveling with a family or prefer not to sleep above a few strip clubs. Interlaken is also where you would change trains to go to Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum which is definately a must see for anyone in Switzerland.

Anyway, back to Jungfraujoch. We went straight to the Crystal Restaurant once we got to the top as we were very hungry and a little dizzy from the altitude change. The views are amazing and most of the tables are right next to the windows. You will see pictures that my wonderful husband took of me and the view if you follow the picture link above. I ordered pork schnitzel and egg noddles and he ordered the Fondue, not knowing that it is largly wine and Kirsch. He doesn't drink alcohol or eat pork, so he ate my noodles. I tried the Fondue (my first Fondue also) and it was too strong for me as well.

There is a place to walk around inside of the ice (looked like a glacier to me) and a few places to walk around outside and take pictures. It was a very cloudy day in Switzerland, but we were way above the clouds (as you will see in the pictures) and people were sitting on the observatory deck in their ski coats and gloves sunning themselves in the warm rays.

We went back down the mountain as the sun was setting. The great thing about riding the trains is that you can take a nap on your way to your next adventure (which is exactly what my wonderful husband did). When we got to Interlaken, we went to Des Alpes Restaurant and Bar for dinner and dessert. They have good food, good service, interesting decor, and very good desserts.

Then we got on the train and were safe and sound in our apartment by 10:30. It was a great trip! No we didn't ski or sled, but there are many opportunities to do both if you're into that sort of thing. We might go back one weekend to go sledding. And you can take dog-sled rides in the Summer. This is definately a place you don't want to miss.

What is your favorite Swiss day trip?

The Chicken & The Egg

As an expat, do you ever find yourself suddenly reminded that you are not in your home country... an "Alien" per say?

We live in a nice, roomy (for two people in Switzerland) apartment with lots of natural light and no television or radio. I have generally learned to ignore the writing on consumables packaging. There are days when I don't leave the apartment and I talk to friends and family on the phone, via email and text, or (my wonderful husband) in person. It is easy for me to get comfortable and "forget" that I'm not in the US anymore.

That is, until I grab an egg. This always snaps me back to reality. Readers in the US will have no idea, but readers in Switzerland have to know what I'm talking about. First of all, they sell hard-boiled eggs at the stores that are colored like Easter Eggs... all year round. I asked my husband to grab some eggs for cornbread on his way home from work. He was so proud of the pretty eggs he found for me. He,he,he. I looked at him... a man fluent in German... and asked "really?" He was as puzzled as I was amused. He ignores the writing on packaging too!

Anyway, lets assume that you have raw eggs that you want to cook for breakfast. You go to the refrigerator and grab what you want. Let's even assume that you have Pam cooking spray from the US that you spray in the pan, adding to the illusion that everything is just as it is in the US. Now it's time to crack the egg. You tap it on the counter and carefully study the shell, making sure none of it goes into the pan... when it hits you. Evidence of your location that you cannot ignore.

There are little downy white feathers stuck to your egg. They remind you that a chicken's (ehem) hind quarters came into contact with your breakfast. Then you start to think about how the egg sat on the shelf at the store, unrefridgerated in an open carton. That countless people could have also touched the egg you are about to consume as they picked this egg and that egg for their own breakfast.

I've learned not to be concerned. I do cook my eggs thoroughly here... no more sunny-side-up for me! The eggs are tasty and the yolks are generally larger and more golden than in the U.S.

Is there anything that reminds you of where you are when you're least expecting it? Tell me about it!

Jonesin' for Bagels - part 2

I received a very nice email from Randy Adams at www.American-Bagel-Company.de based in Hamburg and he sent me links to a fine foods distributor and a BAGEL SHOP in Switzerland who order his products. So I contacted the distributor and asked if they resell to anyone in the Basel area. I will post any updates as a comment to this post.

The Bagel shop is located in Zurich and is called mybagel.ch. The photo below contains a link to their page. It looks like it is a carry-out place, but I would love confirmation. You can bet I'm headed here soon. Do they know about the Expat Expo? Do they have Hummus and Sundried Tomato Pesto? ...Does it matter... Its a bagel for god's sake! I think I need help.

I feel like chicken tonight

One of my favorite things to cook here in Basel is Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetables. Swiss chickens are small (no growth hormones or anti-biotics) and flavorful. I make a whole chicken about once a week. Here is how I prepared it tonight.

Ingredients

Whole Chicken (about 1 kilo)
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Italian Herb Blend
1/2 lemon
Carrots
Baking Potatoes
Yellow or Red Onion

Directions

Preheat oven to 220 C. The FDA website says you do not need to wash your bird and many professional chefs on cheftalk.com suggest that you not wash the bird. Just look inside and make sure there's no pooled blood or other surprises. In a small shallow dish, mix together about 2 Tbs olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp Italian herb blend, and about 10 grinds of pepper. Make sure your lemon half is handy. Using your fingers, carefully break the membranes that hold the chicken skin to the meat without breaking the skin. Again, using your fingers, tuck the seasoning mixure into the spaces you create between the meet and the skin. Cover the breasts, legs, thighs, back. If you're not using a roasting rack, rub the skin of the chicken with your oily hands to keep it from sticking to your pan. Lightly squeeze the lemon half over the chicken then put the lemon piece in the chicken (I think this is probably just superstition, but I never omit it).

Put the chicken in the pan breast side UP first. When your chicken has been out of the refrigerator for 30 minutes, put it in the oven and turn on your vent fan or open a window since olive oil has a low smoke point. You can also put the chicken back in the fridge for a few hours or over night as long as you let it sit out for 30 minutes before you put it into the oven. Set the timer for 30 minutes... you will need to turn it then.

Now for the root vegetables. A one kilo bird will feed us for two nights, so I make enough vegies to feed us two nights. I slice 3 potatoes into bite-size chunks, quarter 2 small onions, and cut the 3 large carrots length-wise twice (quartering) and then cut agian to make 2" long sticks. Toss the vegies together in a bowl with the left-over olive oil mix from the chicken.

When the chicken has cooked 30 minutes, take it out of the oven. Use a pair of tongs (inserting one part into the large hole where you put the lemon) and a bunch of paper towels (to hold onto the neck/shoulders) to turn the chicken so it is breast down. Spread the vegies on the bottom of the pan around the chicken and put the pan back in the oven. Cook 40 more minutes. Take the oven out of the pan and let everything rest about 10 minutes before you carve it (I put rolls in the oven and serve my salad at this point).

Oh, as an aside... I cooked the bagel dough from the previous post but made them looks like dinner rolls. They are GREAT dinner rolls! HA!!!

Jonesin' for Bagels

When you want a bagel, you want a bagel. Crunchy on the outside; chewy on the inside. I'm not from New York, but I like bagels... for luch, for breakfast, as a snack. I love a giant blueberry bagel with tangy (not sweet) cream cheese. But if you have a plain bagel with hummus and sun-dried tomato pesto with some gouda cheese, I'm there!

In Basel, no bagels. I heard a rumor that there are bagels somewhere, but we're not sure where. My friends have their eyes open though. I did manage to find Bagel dough at Coop. I picked it up yesterday morning after the Morgenstreick parade. I just made the first one, and it's not very pretty. The lady who told me about the dough makes them all of the time, so I might need a lesson, no?

But how does it taste? Like a yeast roll. YUP! If someone gave me that in the US and said "Here's your bagel," I would have to pop 'em up-side the head. Oh well. I found the web-site for a bakery in Hamburg that makes American goodies, including bagels. http://www.american-bagel-company.de/index.html They ship the frozen dough all over Europe. I think I'll contact them and see if any bakeries or restaurants in Basel or Zurich are placing orders. If not, I'm going to have to figure-out how to get my bagels. So, I guess I'm going to keep practicing and see if I can get the shape to look any better. I worked the dough for a few minutes before I boiled it, so that might make it chewy (hopefully not tough). I've seen instructions for making bagels from scratch online. But that's a lot of work.